Information providing system, information providing device, and system for controlling robot device

ABSTRACT

The present invention makes it possible and easier to serve optimum robot components/devices/accessories by means of an information service system including personal terminal devices ( 31 A to  31 C) connected to an information communication network via a telecommunication line, and a server ( 38 ) connected to the information communication network via the telecommunication line to cumulatively store information on components/devices/accessories available from a plurality of manufacturers ( 37   a   , 37   c  and  37   c ) (third party) of components/devices/accessories of a robot  1 , as classified according to the attributes of the components/devices/accessories and send, to the personal terminal devices ( 31 A to  31 C) connected thereto, options information prepared based on the attribute of the cumulatively stored components/devices/accessories information and including a plurality of items for selection of a robot component.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an information service system andmethod for serving information to personal terminal devices via a datacommunication network, an information server for serving information oncomponents/devices/accessories of a robotic device, and a robotic devicemanagement system and method.

BACKGROUND ART

Recently, there have been proposed robotic devices each capable ofautonomously deciding its own behavior correspondingly to itssurrounding environment and internal state. Such robots include forexample ones of a type which can have a pseudo-emotion and -instinct(will be referred to as “emotion” and “instinct” hereunder) which arechanged according to its environment and internal state, and behavecorrespondingly to such changes in emotion and instinct, that is, canreflect changes of its emotion and instinct in its action, and also onesof a type which can behave in a manner corresponding to each of itsgrowing steps.

Of these types of recent robots, the motion, instinct and growth varyadaptively to their environment and internal state. For example,different manners of handling will result in different internal statessuch as emotion, respectively, in the robot. Namely, the same robotshowing a behavior when handled by a user will behave in a differentmanner when handled by another user.

Many robotic devices are commercially available. Usually, roboticdevices on the market are designed under their respective predeterminedspecifications and cannot be of any other than the predeterminedspecification. Some robots have recently become available which aredesigned according to customer-selected specifications, respectively;practically, however, not many kinds of specifications are prepared fora single model. The user will lose interest in playing with the robotwhich cannot be of another specification.

Thus, if the specification of a robotic device can be changed to adesired one after the purchase of the device, the user can enjoy playingwith his or her robotic device as if it were of another version. Such achange in specification of a robotic device after purchased, that ispossible for the user, can be implemented through replacement of anexisting component/device/accessory of the robot with a user-defined onefor example.

Thus, in case an existing component/device/accessory of the roboticdevice can be replaced with any desired adaptive component, if the usercan easily search for an adaptive component/device/accessory from manycomponents/devices/accessories of the robot, he will be able to simplychange the specification of his robot. This will also lead to theadvantage or profit of the manufacturer or distributor of the robot. Insuch a case, adding a user's demand, quality and information on roboticdevices the user has so far used to information used to search for thecomponent/device/accessory will make it possible to accurately searchfor the component/device/accessory in consideration.

If such components/devices/accessories can be supplied from themanufacturer or distributor of the robotic device as well as from athird party (for example, a third party which is accessible on theinformation communication network), a wider variety of robotic devicecomponents/devices/accessories will be available from them, and thus theuser can have a wider choice of components/devices/accessories for hisrobotic device.

Further, by collecting information such as demand from a user of arobotic device and information about components/devices/accessoriesavailable from a third party and analyzing the correlation between theinformation, it is possible to smoothly supply robotic devicecomponents/devices/accessories from the manufacturer or distributor tothe user.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention has an object to overcome theabove-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art by providing an informationservice system and method, information server, and a robotic devicemanagement system and method, adapted to allow and facilitate supply ofoptimum robotic device components/devices/accessories to a user of arobotic device.

The above object can be attained by providing an information servicesystem including: communication terminal devices connected to aninformation communication network via a telecommunication line; and aninformation management unit connected to the information communicationnetwork via the telecommunication line to cumulatively store informationabout components/devices/accessories of a robotic device composed of aplurality of components/devices/accessories, available from a pluralityof component/device/accessory manufacturers or distributors, asclassified according to the attributes of thecomponents/devices/accessories, and send, to the communication terminaldevices when connected thereto, options information including aplurality of options for selection of components/devices/accessories,the options information having been prepared on the basis of attributesof the cumulatively stored components/devices/accessories information;the communication terminal devices selecting acomponent/device/accessory based on the options information.

Since the information service system constructed as in the aboveaccording to the present invention is connected to the informationcommunication network via the telecommunication line to cumulativelystore information about components/devices/accessories of a roboticdevice composed of a plurality of components/devices/accessories,available from a plurality of component/device/accessory manufacturersor distributors, as classified according to the attributes of thecomponents/devices/accessories, and sends, to the communication terminaldevices when connected thereto, options information including aplurality of options for selection of components/devices/accessories,the options information having been prepared on the basis of attributesof the cumulatively stored components/devices/accessories information,the user can easily select an optimum one from thecomponents/devices/accessories available from the plurality ofmanufacturers or distributors on the basis of the options information byoperating the communication terminal device.

Also the above object can be attained by providing an informationservice method to be effected in an information service system includingcommunication terminal devices connected to an information communicationnetwork via a telecommunication line and an information management unitconnected to the information communication network via thetelecommunication line to cumulatively store information aboutcomponents/devices/accessories of a robotic device composed of aplurality of components/devices/accessories, available from a pluralityof component/device/accessory manufacturers or distributors, asclassified according to the attributes of thecomponents/devices/accessories, the method including steps of: sending,to the communication terminal devices when connected to the informationmanagement unit, options information including a plurality of optionsfor selection of components/devices/accessories, the options informationhaving been prepared on the basis of attributes of the cumulativelystored components/devices/accessories information; and selecting acomponent/device/accessory based on the options information sent in thesending step.

The above information service method allows the user to easily select anoptimum one from the components/devices/accessories available from theplurality of manufacturers or distributors based on the optionsinformation by operating the communication terminal device.

Also, the above object can be attained by providing an informationserver including: means for storage of robot-related information on arobotic device composed of a plurality ofcomponents/devices/accessories; means for storage of information aboutthe components/devices/accessories of the robotic device; and means forreading the robot-related information from the robot-related informationstorage means and selecting a predetermined piece ofcomponents/devices/accessories information from thecomponents/devices/accessories information storage means based on therobot-related information.

The information server constructed as in the above reads therobot-related information from the robot-related information storagemeans by the components/devices/accessories information selecting means,and selects the predetermined piece of components/devices/accessoriesinformation stored in the components/devices/accessories informationstorage means, thereby serving an optimum piece ofcomponents/devices/accessories information for the robotic device.

Also, the above object can be attained by providing an informationserving method including steps of: storing, into storage means,robot-related information on a robotic device composed of a plurality ofcomponents/devices/accessories and components/devices/accessoriesinformation on the robotic device; and reading the robot-relatedinformation stored in the storage means in the storing step andselecting a predetermined piece of components/devices/accessoriesinformation from the storage means based on the robot-relatedinformation, thereby serving an optimum piece ofcomponents/devices/accessories information for the robotic device.

Also, the above object can be attained by providing a robotic devicemanagement system includes: a manufacturer or distributor of anautonomous type robotic device which can be constructed ofcomponents/devices/accessories and autonomously behave based on anexternal factor and/or an internal factor; a plurality of manufacturersor distributors of components/devices/accessories for the roboticdevice; and a robotic device manager that manages, as information,components/devices/accessories available from thecomponent/device/accessory manufacturers or distributors, selects one ofthe component/device/accessory manufacturers or distributors byreferring to the information on the availablecomponents/devices/accessories upon reception of an order from ademander for a component/device/accessory of the robotic device and thenissues an order for the component/device/accessory ordered by thedemander to the selected one of the component/device/accessorymanufacturers or distributors.

In the robotic device management system constructed as in the above, anautonomous type robotic device which can be constructed ofcomponents/devices/accessories and autonomously behave based on anexternal factor and/or an internal factor are produced or distributed bythe robotic device manufacturer or distributor, thecomponents/devices/accessories available from the plurality ofcomponent/device/accessory manufacturers or distributors of thecomponents/devices/accessories for the robotic device is managed asinformation, and upon reception of an order from a demander for arobotic device component, one of the component/device/accessorymanufacturers or distributors is selected by referring to theinformation on the available components/devices/accessories and then anorder for the component/device/accessory ordered by the demander isissued to the selected one of the component/device/accessorymanufacturers or distributors.

In the above robotic device management system, the robotic device isproduced or distributed by the robotic device manufacturer ordistributor while upon reception of an order for acomponent/device/accessory from a demander having purchased the roboticdevice, the robotic device manager selects an optimum one of thecomponent/device/accessory manufacturers or distributors and then issuesan order for the component/device/accessory ordered by the demander tothe selected component/device/accessory manufacturer or distributor.

Also, the above object can be attained by providing a robotic devicemanagement method in which: there is produced or distributed anautonomous type robotic device which can be constructed ofcomponents/devices/accessories and autonomously behave based on anexternal factor and/or an internal factor; a demander having purchasedthe robotic device issues an order for a component/device/accessory to arobotic device manager that manages, as information,components/devices/accessories available from a plurality ofcomponent/device/accessory manufacturers or distributors of thecomponents/devices/accessories for the robotic device; and uponreception of an order from a demander for a component/device/accessoryof the robotic device and then issues an order for thecomponent/device/accessory having been ordered from the demander, therobotic device manager selects one of the component/device/accessorymanufacturers or distributors by referring to the information on theavailable components/devices/accessories and then issues an order forthe component/device/accessory ordered from the demander to the selectedone of the component/device/accessory manufacturers or distributors.

In the above robotic device management method, the robotic device isproduced or distributed by the robotic device manufacturer ordistributor while upon reception of an order for acomponent/device/accessory from a demander having purchased the roboticdevice, the robotic device manager selects an optimum one of thecomponent/device/accessory manufacturers or distributors and then issuesan order for the component/device/accessory ordered by the demander tothe selected component/device/accessory manufacturer or distributor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a robotic device composed ofcomponents/devices/accessories on which the information service systemaccording to the present invention serves information.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of therobotic device in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a software forthe robotic device in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows a probabilistic automaton.

FIG. 5 shows a state transition table.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the network system according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of the information server.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the information service system according tothe present invention.

FIG. 9 is a chart showing an flow of operations effected fordistribution of components/devices/accessories over the informationservice system in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram intended for explanation of accessoriesinformation (components/devices/accessories information) transmittedfrom a third party to the server.

FIG. 11 is a chart showing a flow of operations effected at the serverand an personal terminal device for purchase of acomponent/device/accessory over the information service system in FIG.8.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a display of options on a monitor screen atthe personal terminal device.

FIGS. 13A, 13B, 13C, and 13D are plan views of screen displays for eachtype of the options.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of a screen display showing parameters and acomment on the basis of information on the state information of therobotic device.

FIG. 15 is a plan view of a screen display showing options based on thestate information of the robotic device in FIG. 1.

FIG. 16 is a plan view of a screen display showing information on asoftware defined by selecting the options.

FIG. 17 is a chart showing an flow of operations effected in a newapproach using information on purchase history of accessories.

FIG. 18 is a plan view of a screen display showing options when ahardware item is selected.

FIG. 19 is a plan view of a screen display showing options when the legis selected from the hardware items.

FIG. 20 is a plan view of a screen display showing parameters and acomment based on the state information of the robotic device in FIG. 1.

FIG. 21 is a plan view of a screen display showing options based on thestate information of the hardware of the robotic device in FIG. 1.

FIG. 22 is a plan view of a screen display showing headcomponents/devices/accessories finally selected.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram of a robotic device composed of a pluralityof component/device/accessory units.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The present invention will be further discussed below concerning anembodiment thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings. Theembodiment of the present invention is an information service systemwhich serves a variety of information to a user of a robotic deviceaccording to the present invention via an information communicationnetwork such as Internet. The robotic device according to the presentinvention will first be described below.

-   -   (1) Construction of the Robotic Device    -   (1-1) Construction of the Robotic Device According to the        Present Invention

As shown in FIG. 1, the robotic device (will be referred to simply as“robot” hereunder) is generally indicated with a reference 1. The robot1 includes a body unit 2 having leg units 3A to 3D joined at the frontright and left and rear right and left thereof, and a head unit 4 andtail unit 5 joined at the front and rear ends thereof.

As shown in FIG. 2, the body unit 2 houses a controller 10 to controlthe operations of the entire robot 1, a battery 11 to supply a power tothe robot 1, an internal sensor unit 14 including a battery sensor 12and thermo-sensor 13 and others.

The head unit 4 houses a microphone 15 working as “cars” of the robot 2,a CCD (charge coupled device) camera 16 as “eyes”, a sensor 17, and aspeaker 18 as “mouth”, disposed in place, respectively.

Further, actuators 19 ₁ to 19 _(n) are disposed in joints of the legunits 3A to 3D, articulations between the leg units 3A to 3D and bodyunit 2, an articulation between the head unit 4 and body unit 2, and inan articulation between the tail unit 5 and body unit 2, respectively.

The microphone 15 in the head unit 4 receives a command sound such as“Walk!”, “Be prone!” or “Chase the ball!” given as scales to the robot 1via a sound commander (not shown) from the user to produce a soundsignal S1, and sends the sound signal S1 to the controller 10. Also, theCCD camera 16 captures the environment surrounding the robot 1 toproduce an image signal S2, and sends the image signal S2 to thecontroller 10.

As shown in FIG. 1, the touch sensor 17 is located at the top of thehead unit 4. It detects a pressure applied thereto by a physical actionof the user such as “patting”, “hitting” or the like, and sends thedetected pressure as a pressure detection signal S3 to the controller10.

The battery sensor 12 in the body unit 2 detects the remaining potentialin the battery 11, and sends the detected potential as a batterypotential detection signal S4 to the controller 10. The thermo-sensor 13detects the head inside the robot 1 and sends the detected heat as aheat detection signal S5 to the controller 10.

Based on the sound signal S1, image signal S2, pressure detection signalS3, battery potential detection signal S4 and heat detection signal S5supplied from the microphone 15, CCD camera 16, touch sensor 17, batterysensor 12 and thermosensor 13, respectively, the controller 10 judges inwhat environment the robot 1 stands, and if the user has made anyinstruction or any action to the robot 1.

The controller 10 decides how to behave or move based on the result ofjudgment and a control program including a variety of control parametersstored in a memory 10A in advance, and drives, based on the result ofdecision, an appropriate one of the actuators 19 ₁ to 19 _(n) to allowthe robot 1 to make a behavior or motion by shaking or nodding the headunit 4, wagging a tail 5A of the tail unit 5 or driving each of the legunits 3A to 3D to walk. In the following, a set of behaviors and motionswill be referred to as “action”.

Also, the controller 10 supplies a predetermined sound signal S6 to thespeaker 18 as necessary to provide a sound based on the sound signal S6to outside and turn on and off an LED (light emitting diode) (not shown)provided at each “eye” position of the robot 1.

Thus, the robot 1 is adapted to autonomously act based on itsenvironment, control program stored in the memory 10A, etc.

-   -   (1-2) Software Configuration of the Control Program

FIG. 3 shows the software configuration of the above-mentioned controlprogram used in the robot 1. As shown, the control program includes ameaning-conversion object 20, emotion/instinct-generation object 21,action-decision object 22 and an action-generation object 23.

In the above software configuration, the meaning-conversion object 20recognizes external and internal states of the robot 1. Moreparticularly, the meaning-conversion object 20 recognizes the externaland internal states based on results of detection by various sensors.And, the meaning-conversion object 20 supplies the result of recognitionto the emotion/instinct-generation object 21 and action-decision object22.

The emotion/instinct-generation object 21 generates information intendedfor the robot 1 to express its emotion or instinct by an action.Specifically, the emotion/instinct-generation object 21 decides thestates of emotion and instinct based on the result of recognitionsupplied from the meaning-conversion object 20 and various otherinformation. And, if the emotion or instinct exceeds a predeterminedlevel, the emotion/instinct-generation object 21 supplies it to theaction-decision object 22.

The action-decision object 22 decides an action to be done by the robot1. More particularly, the action-decision object 22 decides a next dueaction of the robot 1 based on the result of recognition supplied fromthe meaning-conversion object 20 and information supplied from theemotion/instinct generation object 21. The action-decision object 22informs the action-generation object 23 of the result of decision.

The action-generation object 23 controls the robot 1 to actually make abehavior or motion. Namely, the action-generation object 23 controlsrelevant devices of the robot 1 based on the information (result ofdecision) supplied from the action-decision object 22 to behave or actas specified by the information.

Thus the control program is composed of the above-mentioned plurality ofobjects to control the operation of the robot 1. Each of the objectswill further be described below.

Based on a sound signal S1, image signal S2, pressure detection signalS3, battery potential detection signal S4 or heat detection signal S5from the microphone 15, CCD camera 16, touch sensor 17, battery sensor12 and thermo-sensor 13, respectively, the meaning-conversion object 20recognizes predetermined external and internal states of the robot 1such as “the robot 1 has been hit”, “the robot 1 has been patted”, “therobot 1 has detected the ball”, “the battery potential has become lower”or “the internal temperature has been elevated”. Then it supplies theresult of recognition to the emotion/instinct-generation object 21 andaction-decision object 22.

Based on the result of recognition supplied from the meaning-conversionobject 20, personal information 24 which is one of the controlparameters stored in the memory 10A, and information representing anaction having been done and supplied from the action-decision object 22as will further be described later, the emotion/instinct-generationobject 21 decides emotion and instinct levels of the robot 1. When theemotion and instinct levels exceed predetermined ones, theemotion/instinct-generation object 21 supplies the emotion and instinctlevels to the action-decision object 22.

More particularly, the emotion/instinct-generation object 21 has anemotion model holding a total of six parameters each representing thestrength of emotions including “joy”, “sadness”, “anger”, “surprise”,“fear” and “aversion”, respectively, and an instinct model holding atotal of four parameters representing the strength of desires for“love”, “search”, “motion” and “eating”, respectively.

The memory 10A has also stored therein, as the personal information 24,data such as one of emotion or desire parameters which has to beincreased or decreased in value in response to a result of recognitionfrom the meaning-conversion object 20 and information from theaction-decision object 22 noticing that an action has been done andwhich will further be described later and . For example, when thepersonal information 24 is that the robot 1 has been “hit”, the value ofthe “angry” parameter is increased while that of the “joy” parameter isdecreased. When the robot 1 has been “patted”, the value of “joy”parameter is increased while that of the “angry” parameter is decreased.When the robot 1 has made an action, the value of the “desire formotion” parameter and that of the “joy” parameter are both increased.

In response to a result of recognition supplied from themeaning-conversion object 20, information supplied from theaction-decision object 22, etc., the emotion/instinct-generation object21 periodically updates the value of an appropriate emotion or desireparameter in the emotion or instinct model on the basis of the personalinformation.

When as a result of updating of each parameter value, the value of anyemotion or desired parameter exceeds a preset value for the emotion orinstinct, the emotion/instinct-generation object 21 informs theaction-decision object 22 of the fact.

The action-decision object 22 decides a next action based on a result ofrecognition supplied from the meaning-conversion object 20, informationfrom the emotion/instinct-generation object 21 and an action model 25which is one of the control parameters stored in the memory 10A, andsupplies the action-generation object 23 with the result of decision.

Note that in this embodiment of the present invention, theaction-decision object 22 adopts, as a measure for decision of a nextaction, an algorithm called “probabilistic automaton” to stochasticallydecide one of nodes NODE₀ to NODE_(n) shown in FIG. 4 to which atransition is to be made from the node NODE₀, based on transitionprobabilities P₁ to P_(n+1) set for arcs ARC₁ to ARC_(n+1),respectively, which provide connections between the nodes NODE₀ toNODE_(n).

More specifically, the memory 10A has stored therein, as the actionmodel 25, a state transition table 26 as shown in FIG. 5 for each of thenodes NODE₀ to NODE_(n). The action-decision project 22 is adapted toset a next action according to the state transition table 26.

That is, in the state transition table 26, input events (results ofrecognition) taken as conditions for transition between the nodes NODE₀to NODE_(m) are entered in an “Input event name” column in the order ofprecedence, and additional conditional data to the transition conditionsare entered in “Data name” and “Data range” columns.

Therefore, as shown in the state transition table 26 in FIG. 5, it is acondition for a node NODE₁₀₀ to transit to another node that when aresult of recognition that “BALL (the robot 1 has detected the ball)” isgiven, “SIZE (ball size)” given together with the result of recognitionis “0, 1000 (0 to 1000)”. Also, the node NODE₁₀₀ can transit to anothernode when “OBSTACLE (the robot 1 has detected an obstacle)” is given asa result of recognition and “DISTANCE (distance between the obstacle androbot 1)” given along with the result of recognition is “0, 100 (0 to100)”.

Also, the node NODE₁₀₀ can transit to another node when any of theparameters “JOY”, “SURPRISE” and “SADNESS” included in the emotion anddesire parameters in the emotion and instinct models in theemotion/instinct-generation object 21 to which the action-decisionobject 22 refers periodically takes a value of “50, 100 (50 to 100)”even with entry of no result of recognition.

In the state transition table 26, names of the nodes to which each ofthe nodes NODE₀ to NODE_(n) can transit are given in a “Transitiondestination nodes” line covered by a “Probability of transition to othernode (Di)” column, and probabilities of transition to other nodes NODE₀to NODE_(n), which would be when all the requirements given in the“Input event name”, “Data name” and “Date range” columns, respectively,are satisfied are given in an “Output action” line covered by the“Probability of transition to other node (Di)” column. Note that the sumof the transition probabilities in the line covered by the “Probabilityof transition to other node Di” column is 100 (%).

Therefore, the node NODE₁₀₀ in the state transition table 26 shown inFIG. 5 can transit to a node NODE₁₂₀ (node 120) with a transitionprobability of “30%” when “BALL (the ball has been detected)” is givenas a result of recognition and “SIZE (the size of the ball)” given alongwith the result of recognition is “0, 1000 (0 to 1000)”. At this time,the robot 1 will make an action “ACTION 1”.

The action model 25 is constructed so that many of the nodes NODE₀ toNODE_(n) given in the state transition table 26 are connected to eachother. When a result of recognition is supplied from themeaning-conversion object 20 or when a notice is supplied from theemotion/instinct-generation object 21, the action-decision object 22 isadapted to stochastically decide a next action or motion by using thestate transition table 26 stored in the memory 10A for appropriate onesof the nodes NODE₀ to NODE_(n) and inform the action-generation object23 of the result of decision.

The action-generation object 23 drives and controls an appropriate oneof the actuators 19 ₁ to 19 _(n) as necessary based on the informationfrom the action-decision object 22 for the robot 1 to act or move asspecified, generates an appropriate sound signal S6 (as shown in FIG. 2)based on a corresponding sound data in a sound data file which is one ofthe control parameters stored in the memory 10A, and sends it to thespeaker 18, or turns on and off the LED at the “eye” position in acorresponding light-emission pattern on the basis of a correspondinglight emission data in a light emission data file which is one of thecontrol parameters stored in the memory 10A.

Thus, the robot 1 can make an autonomous action correspondingly to itsown state and surrounding environment, and a user's instruction andoperation made to the robot 1 on the basis of the control program.

Next, the growth model incorporated in the robot 1 to have the latteract in each of its growth steps will be described.

The growth model is to allow the robot 1 to show an “advanced action” ineach higher “growth” step like a real animal on which the robot 1 ismodeled.

Namely, the growth model allows the robot 1 to make an actioncorresponding to each level of growth (degree of growth). Morespecifically, the robot 1 is designed to act in each of four “growthsteps” including “infancy”, “boyhood”, “adolescence” and “adulthood”according to the growth model.

The growth model includes the above-mentioned action model(action-decision object) for each of the four “growth steps” including“infancy”, “boyhood”, “adolescence” and “adulthood”. A modelcorresponding to each growth step is selected to have the robot 1 actcorrespondingly to its step of growth. For example, a difference betweentwo successive ones of the “growth steps” in the growth model is suchthat an action or motion in a higher growth step is more difficult orcomplicated than in the precedent growth step.

More specifically, the action model for the “infancy” is such that forexample “walking” is “toddling” with short steps and “motions” are“simple” ones such as “toddle”, “stand”, “lie” and the like. “Action” isa “monotonous” one such as repetition of a motion, and “sound” is a “lowand short” one amplified by a low factor.

A transition is made from one to another step of growth by alwaysmonitoring and counting occurrence of a plurality of elements (will bereferred to as “growth element” hereunder) associated with apredetermined “growth” such as a predetermined action and motion.

More particularly, when a sum of cumulative occurrences of each growthelement (will be referred to as “total empirical value of growthelement” hereunder) in which the cumulative occurrences (count) of thegrowth element are taken as information indicative of a growth degree ofthe growth element, exceeds a preset threshold, another action model isselected for use, that is, a transition is made from for example the“infancy” action model to the “boyhood” one which higher in growth level(difficulty and complexity of action or motion) than the “infancy”action model, thereby allowing a transition to a next growth step.

It should be reminded here that the growth elements include for exampleinput of a command by scale from a sound commander (in a remotecontroller), input of “padding” and “hitting” from the touch sensor 17,intensified learning including a number of successes in a predeterminedaction and motion, input of other than “padding” and “hitting” from thetouch sensor 17, and a predetermined action and motion such as “playingwith a ball”.

Then, after transition of the growth step from the “infancy” actionmodel, the action model for the “boyhood” is followed to control theactuators 19 ₁ to 19 _(n) and sound output from the speaker 18 in orderto increase the rotation speed of each of the actuators 19 ₁ to 19 _(n)for a “little more positive” walking, increase the number of “motions”for a “little more advanced and complicate” motion, decide a next“action” with reference to the preceding “action” for an “action with alittle more definite intention”, and increase the length of “sound”signal and amplify the signal with an increased factor for a “littlelonger and louder” cry.

Similarly, each time the total empirical value of the growth elementexceeds each of thresholds preset for the “adolescence” and “adulthood”after transition through the “boyhood”, the action model is sequentiallychanged to the “adolescence” or “adulthood” higher in “growth step” thanthe “boyhood” and each of these action models is followed to graduallyincrease the rotation speed of the actuators 19 ₁ to 19 _(n) and thelength and amplification factor of a sound signal supplied to thespeaker 18.

Following the growth model, the robot 1 “toddling” in its “infancy” can“walk more positively” as the “growth step” rises (namely, the actionmodel transits from the “infancy” to the “boyhood”, from the “boyhood”to the “adolescence”, and from the “adolescence” to “adulthood”), therobot 1 “moving simply” in its “infancy” can “move in a more advancedand complicated manner”, and the robot 1 acting “monotonously” in its“infancy” can “act with an intention”. Also, the robot 1 can generate a“longer and louder” sound as it grows while it has made a “low andshort” sound in its “infancy”.

Following the growth model, the robot 1 can make an autonomous action ineach of the growth steps correspondingly to its own state andsurrounding environment and user's instruction and action made to therobot 1.

-   -   (2) Construction of a Network System 30

A network system 30 which implements the information service systemaccording to the present invention will be described herebelow withreference to FIG. 6.

In this network system 30, personal terminal devices 31A to 31C areconnected to an Internet service provider 35 by a satellitecommunication line 32, cable television line 33 or telephone line 34 asshown. Also, the Internet service provider 35 is connected to a server38 via an Internet 36, and a personal terminal device 31D is connecteddirectly to the server 38 by an ordinary public network 39.

Each of the personal terminal devices 31A to 31D is an ordinary personalcomputer installed in ordinary homes, and communicates with the server38 via the Internet 36 or the ordinary public network 39 to transmit andreceive necessary data to and from the server 38.

Also, the server 38 is a Web server available from a manufacturer ordistributor of the robot, for example. It sends a variety of informationsuch as image data etc. to personal terminal devices 31A to 31D havingaccessed the server 38 via the Internet 36 or ordinary public network39.

The server 38 is constructed as shown by way of example in FIG. 7. Asseen, the server 38 includes a LAN (local area network) card 40incorporating an interface circuit via which the server 38 interfaceswith the Internet 36, modem 41 via which the server 38 interfaces withthe ordinary public network 39, CPU 42 which controls the entire server38, temporary storage medium 43 formed from a semiconductor memory whichserves as a work memory of the CPU 42, and a storage medium 44 such as ahard disc drive having stored therein various data which are used forthe server 3 to perform processing operations as will further bedescribed later.

In the server 38, data and command supplied from the personal terminaldevices 31A to 31D having accessed the server 38 via the Internet 36 orordinary public network 39 are taken into the CPU 42 through the LANcard 40 or modem 41, and a predetermined processing operation isperformed based on the data and command and control information storedin the storage medium 44.

The CPU 42 generates on-screen data to be displayed on an appropriatescreen for a result of the above processing operation as necessary, andsends it to an appropriate one of the personal terminal devices 31A to31D through the LAN card 40 or modem 41.

The above server 38 sends a variety of information such as on-screendata to the personal terminal devices 31A to 31D having accessed theserver 38 via the above-mentioned information communication networkwhich utilizes a telecommunication line, while acquiring informationfrom the personal terminal devices 31A to 31D and processing theinformation appropriately. More specifically, the server 38 sends, tothe personal terminal devices 31A to 31D, on-screen options informationfor selection of components/devices/accessories. Also, the server 38receives component/device/accessory selection information included inthe on-screen options information from the personal terminal devices 31Ato 31D, and narrow down the potential components/devices/accessories onthe basis of the component/device/accessory selection information. Thiswill further be described below.

The server 38 has connected thereto a so-called third party 37 includingmanufacturers or distributors of the components/devices/accessories ofthe robot 1 via the telecommunication line 45. Note that the third part37 is not any manufacturer of the robot itself but andeveloper/distributor of the components/devices/accessories of therobot, which provides components/devices/accessories information(accessories information) via an information communication network.

The information service system according to the present invention isorganized in the aforementioned network system 30. In the informationservice system, the personal terminal devices 31A to 31C formcommunication terminal devices connected to the informationcommunication network via the telecommunication line, the server 38 isconnected to the information communication network via thetelecommunication line. Thus the information communication network formsan information management unit cumulatively storecomponents/devices/accessories information oncomponents/devices/accessories available from the plurality ofmanufacturers or distributors of the components/devices/accessories ofthe robot 1, as classified according to their attributes. When any ofthe personal terminal devices 31A to 31C is connected to the informationcommunication network (information management unit), sends, to the oneof the personal terminal devices 31A to 31C, options informationprepared based on the attributes of the cumulatively storedcomponents/devices/accessories and including a plurality of options forcomponent/device/accessory selection.

Also, the third party 37 connected to the server 38 provides theinformation on the components/devices/accessories of the robot 1 to theserver 38 via the telecommunication line. When acomponent/device/accessory is selected at any of the personal terminaldevices 31A to 31C based on the options information (on-screen optionsinformation), the third part 37 is informed from the server 38 that thecomponent/device/accessory in consideration will be shipped to a user(of the personal terminal device) having selected it.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the information service system,components/devices/accessories information (accessories information) onthe components/devices/accessories of the robot 1, provided from thethird party 37, is stored in the server 38, the server 38 sends, to thepersonal terminal devices 31A to 31C, the on-screen options information(options information) for selection of robotcomponents/devices/accessories, having been prepared based on the storedcomponents/devices/accessories information (accessories information),and any of the components/devices/accessories of the robot 1 is selectedat any of the personal terminal devices 31A to 31C on the basis of theon-screen options information sent from the server 38. When it isselected to purchase a component/device/accessory at the one of thepersonal terminal devices 31A to 31C, customer/shipment informationincluding information on the user of the personal terminal device inconsideration and information that the selectedcomponent/device/accessory has to be shipped is provided from the server38 to an appropriate one of the manufacturers or distributors includedin the third party 37. The manufacturer will ship the selectedcomponent/device/accessory based on the customer/shipment information.

-   -   (3) Distribution of Robot Component/Device/Accessory Over the        Information Service System

The processing operations effected in the network system 30 when acomponent/device/accessory of the robotic device is distributed over theinformation service system according to the present invention, will bedescribed herebelow. As shown in FIG. 9, the processing operationseffected in the network system 30 includes (1) Service ofcomponents/devices/accessories information (accessories information)from the third party 37 to the server 38 (step S1), (2) Service ofinformation which is based on the components/devices/accessoriesinformation stored in the server 38 to the users via the personalterminal devices 31A to 31C (step S2), (3) Procedure to be done when anorder for a robot component/device/accessory is made from any of thepersonal terminal devices 31A to 31C, whichever is operated for thepurpose of purchase (step S3). These operations will be described indetail below.

-   -   (3-1) Service of Components/Devices/Accessories Information from        the Third Party to the Server

As shown in FIG. 8, the third party 37 includes developers/distributors(manufacturer) 37 a, 37 b and 37 c of the components/devices/accessoriesof the robot. For example, the manufacturers 37 a, 37 b and 37 cdevelop/manufacture software or hardware of the robot. In the thirdparty 37, the manufacturer 37 a develops/manufactures tail units of therobot, the manufacturer 37 b develops/manufactures motors used to drivethe robot, and the manufacturer 37 c develops/manufactures costumeswhich are to be put, as a part of the robot, on the body unit of therobot, as shown in FIG. 10.

The manufacturers 37 a, 37 b and 37 c provide the server 38 withinformation on robot components/devices/accessories produced by them(accessories information) via an information communication network suchas the Internet connected by the telecommunication line 45 as shown inFIGS. 8 to 10.

As shown in FIG. 10, these manufacturers 37 a, 37 b and 37 c provide theserver 38 with components/devices/accessories information such asinformation D₁ on model numbers of the robots with which thecomponents/devices/accessories available from the manufacturers arecompatible, information D₂ on trade names and features, and photographicinformation D₃ (image data) on the components/devices/accessories themanufacturers desire to sell.

The server 38 cumulatively stores the components/devices/accessoriesinformation supplied from the manufacturers 37 a, 37 b and 37 c. Morespecifically, the supplied components/devices/accessories arecumulatively stored as classified according to the attributes of thecomponents/devices/accessories such as parts of the robots at which thecomponents/devices/accessories are to be used, characteristics(performances) of the components/devices/accessories, model numbers ofthe robots with which the components/devices/accessories are compatible,etc. The components/devices/accessories information is served to theusers via the personal terminal devices 31A to 31C on the basis of thethus stored information.

Also, the third party 37 may be arranged so that the manufacturers 37 a,37 b and 37 c cannot join the third party 37 without being registered asa member of the third party and paying a registration fee.

-   -   (3-2) Service of Information to the User Via the Personal        Terminal Devices Based on Components/Devices/Accessories        Information Stored in the Server

Components/devices/accessories information is served from the server 38to the personal terminal devices 31A to 31C in a procedure as shown inFIG. 11.

First, when any of the personal terminal devices 31A to 31C accesses aWeb page or the like intended for purchase of robotcomponents/devices/accessories and served from the server 38, the Webpage is displayed on the screen of a monitor at the one of the personalterminal devices 31A to 31C in step S11. For example, a top page isdisplayed. In next step S12, itemized options are displayed on themonitor screen.

The options display includes a plurality of itemized options from whichthe user can select an appropriate component, as shown in FIG. 12. Morespecifically, the items displayed on a screen 40 include “Hard” 41indicating that a component/device/accessory the user wants to purchaseis a hardware or “Soft” 42 indicating that the desiredcomponent/device/accessory is a software, “Automatic select” 43indicating that the component/device/accessory selection isautomatically done or “Manual select” 43 indicating that thecomponent/device/accessory selection is manually done, “Growth” 45,“Character” 46, “Motion” 47 and “Action” 48 indicating whichcomponents/devices/accessories of the robot the user wants to purchase,respectively, and “5 displayed” 49, “10 displayed” 50 and “alldisplayed” 51 indicating numbers of components/devices/accessories,respectively, which are to be displayed depending upon a finalnarrow-down of the potential components/devices/accessories.

Thus, the options are displayed on the monitor screen 40 at the personalterminal device 31 and the user will select desired ones of the thusitemized options on the screen 40. In the illustrated example, the“Soft” 42, “Manual select” 44, “Growth” 45, “Character” 46 and “5displayed” 49 are selected, which means that software for the growth andcharacter will be manually selected, and the thus narrowed-down fivekinds of software will be displayed.

Then, pressing a “SET” button 52 will decide the selection of the items.With this item selection, the server 38 prepares optimum information onthe options for the user in selecting the robotcomponents/devices/accessories elaborately.

Owing to the display of the items in plural kinds all together on thedisplay screen 40, the user can select robotcomponents/devices/accessories without feeling troublesome. That is, ifthe items are displayed over more than one page, switchable from one toanother for viewing, on the display screen 40 for user's selection asshown in FIGS. 13A to 13D, the user will be feel annoyed with theinformation served from the server 38 and intended to select his desiredcomponents/devices/accessories. However, display of the itemized optionsas in FIG. 12 will permit the user to select his desiredcomponents/devices/accessories without feeling such an annoyance.

In next step S13, the user inserts a memory card into his personalterminal device 31 to upload state information of the robot 1 to theserver 38. The state information is intended for the robot 1 toautonomously decide an action, and more specifically, it includes astate of emotion to express an emotion by an action (emotion parameter),a state of instinct to express an instinct by an action (desireparameter), etc.

The robot 1 holds such state information while updating it in the memorycard, and uploads state information stored in the memory card MC to theserver 38 via the personal terminal device 31A for example as shown inFIG. 8. As the memory card, there is commercially available a so-called“Memory Stick” (trademark of a memory card (product) from the Sony).

Note however that supply of the state information of the robot 1 to thepersonal terminal devices 31A to 31C is not limited to the use of thememory card MC but the state information of a robot 1 b can be suppliedto the personal terminal device 31B via a LAN or a radio or cablecommunication as shown in FIG. 8. For example, the robot is providedwith a PC card slot and sends the state information to the personalterminal devices 31A to 31C via a radio communication from a radio LANcard set in the PC card slot.

Also, it is possible to upload the state information of the robot 1 tothe server 38 by a so-called station having both functions to charge thebattery in the robot 1 and make communications (modem function). Forexample, the station on which the robot 1 is placed charges the batteryof the robot 1 while connecting to an information communication networkto upload the state information on the robot 1 to the server 38.

In next step S14, the server 38 indicates the state (parameters) of therobot 1 based on the state information of the robot 1, having beenuploaded from the personal terminal devices 31A to 31C. Morespecifically, the server 38 provides a parameter indication 61 for thecurrent state of growth of the robot 1 and a parameter indication 62 forthe state of character, as shown in FIG. 14. Also, the server 38indicates a comment 63 “it is of a baby type and has grown with badcharacter” or the like about the robot 1 having the above states. Theparameter indications 61 and 62 and comment 63 based on the stateinformation reflect the results of selection of “growth” 45 and“character” 46 from the above options, and will be a prompt on whichsoftware the user should purchase for the “growth” and “character”.Also, since the state information is internal information and so theuser cannot know its content, it will be auxiliary information foreffective component/device/accessory selection, which can be obtainedonly by access to the server 38.

Note that if the “motion” 46 and “action” 48 have been selected asdesired ones from the aforementioned options, current parameters of therobot based on corresponding state information will be indicated.

In step S15, options are displayed on the screen 40 as shown in FIG. 15.

More particularly, the screen 40 displays “Baby” 71, “Young” 72 and“Adult” 73, which are options selectable for the “Growth” 45, and“Worse” 74, “Normal” 75 and “Good” 76, which are options selectable forthe “Character” 46. On the screen 40, these items are displayed when theoptions “Growth” 45 and “Character” 46 having been displayed at step S12are selected, respectively.

The user operates his personal terminal device to select any of theoptions. In this example, the “Adult” 73 is selected for the “Growth” 45and “Good” 76 is selected for the “Character” 46. These selections willresult in an indication of “Baby” type in the “Growth” parameterindication 61, “Bad” in the “Character” parameter indication 62, and “Itis of baby type and has grown with bad character” in the comment 63.That is, the indications reflect the selections made by the user.

Also these options can reflect the state information taken from therobot 1. More specifically, in this example, since the growth parameterof the robot 1 is “Baby type”, the options “Baby” 71, “Young” 72 and“Adult” 73 are indicated. However, when the growth parameter is an“Adult type”, the selectable range of growth options can be extended upto “Old”. Also, in this example, since the character parameter of therobot 1 is “Bad”, the options “Worse” 74, “Normal” 75 and “Good” 76 areindicated. However, when the character parameter is “Good”, theselectable range of the character options can be extended to “Better”and “Best”.

When any options are selected in this way and the “SET” button 77 ispressed, the selected options are set. With the selection of theoptions, the server 38 makes a final narrow-down of the potentialcomponents/devices/accessories. In step S16, five pieces of softwarereflecting the result of the previous selection of “5 displayed” 49 fromthe options are displayed. For example, detailed information on the fivepieces of “Growth” and “Character” software, finally narrowed downcorrespondingly to the selected options, are displayed on the screen 40.When the items “Adult” 73 and “Good” 76 are selected as shown in FIG.15, five pieces of software based on information such as “Adult” 73 and“Good” 76 are displayed on the screen 40.

When the user selects one of the finally narrowed-down pieces ofsoftware, a characteristic or the like of the robot 1, which will beimplemented by that software, is displayed on the screen 40. Forexample, such a characteristic or the like of the robot 1, which will beimplemented by that software, that “This software is intended for anadult dog who acts wisely . . . ” is displayed as shown in FIG. 16. Whenthe user sees the contents of the software and presses the “SET” button78 to decide the selection of the options, the monitor screen 40 willprovide a purchase screen in step S17. The purchase screen provides aninformation input screen for methods of payment, methods ofcomponent/device/accessory delivery, etc., and the user will make apurchase procedure according to those instructions displayed on thescreen.

For example, a user having already registered his own information in theserver 38 can make a purchase procedure by making an entry of his ID orthe like at his personal terminal device.

Generally, a user will make a user registration in the server 38 at thetime of purchasing a robot. So, the user can make a procedure forpurchase of robot components/devices/accessories by the use of his owninformation having already been registered, for example, his name,address and the like. Therefore, the user can easily make a procedurefor purchase of components/devices/accessories for his robot withouthaving to make any complicated procedure. On the other hand, the server38 will cumulatively store information on the purchase by the users asuser data base in correlation with the user ID and the like.

After an order for a component/device/accessory for the robot 1 is madeto the server 38 by the user operating his personal terminal device (31Ato 31C), an ordering for the component/device/accessory will be made tothe third party 37.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the aforementionedmanners of screen display. For example, the parameter indications 61 and62 as shown in FIG. 14 may be provided along with the options as shownin FIG. 15 on the same screen. That is, the options information isserved over more than one page as in the above, but pieces ofinformation which could be displayed together are displayed on the samepage as far as possible. On the other hand, pieces ofcomponent-selection information which could not be displayed togetherare displayed separately. That is to say, the pieces of information asshown in FIGS. 14 and 15 are displayed to reflect the information on theselection of options as shown in FIG. 12. Such a screen display willpermit the user to select desired components/devices/accessories withoutfeeling troublesome.

Note that when the “Manual select” 44 to decide a method ofcomponent/device/accessory selection is selected in the options screen40 as shown in FIG. 12, pieces of components/devices/accessoriesinformation stored at the server 38 are retrieved one by one withoutdisplay any information helpful for the use to select his desiredcomponents/devices/accessories. For example, such retrieval can be doneaccording to component/device/accessory names by using a retrievalsystem provided at an ordinary Web site. Such component/device/accessoryretrieval by the manual selection can be said to be “maniac-oriented(heavy user-oriented)”. With the manual selection mode, the user canthoroughly check the characteristics and the like of manycomponents/devices/accessories before deciding to select any of thecomponents/devices/accessories. In other words, the aforementioned“Automatic select” 43 is intended for the server 38 to narrow downpotential components/devices/accessories to some extent to guide theuser for the selection of components/devices/accessories. Namely, the“Automatic select” 43 is suitable for the beginners.

-   -   (3-3) Procedure to be Made When an Order has been Issued for a        Robot Component

A procedure for ordering (shipment) for a component/device/accessory iseffected by supplying customer/shipment information from the server 38to an appropriate one of the manufacturers included in the third party37 via an information communication network such as the Internet or thelike as shown in FIG. 8.

The customer/shipment information includes information of the orderingand requisite information for delivery of the orderedcomponent/device/accessory such as the name and address of the customerhaving ordered for the component.

The third party 37 will make a procedure for shipment of the ordercomponent/device/accessory based on the customer/shipment information,and the user will receive his ordered component/device/accessorydelivered, by transportation or otherwise, from the third party 37.

The payment for the component/device/accessory is made by billing by wayof example. For instance, the billing is made between the server 38 anduser, and a money is paid from the server 38 to the third party 37. Atthis time, the server 38 will pay a rest after subtraction of abrokerage from the payment for the component. Thus, the server(including the manufacturer in consideration) 38 can gain the previouslymentioned registration fee the third party 37 pays to the server 38 andalso the fee for the distribution brokerage for the third party 37.

As having been previously described, the information service systemaccording to the present invention permits to distribute robotcomponents/devices/accessories over the information communicationnetwork.

With such a distribution system including the information service systemaccording to the present invention and an information communicationnetwork, options information for appropriate selection of a user-desiredaccessory (component) can automatically prepared based on the accessoryinformation served from the third party 37 to the server 38 and can beserved to the users of robots, and then ordering information made by auser based on the served options information can automatically besupplied as customer/shipment information to an appropriate third party37.

Thus, the user can easily purchase his desiredcomponent/device/accessory of his robot 1, and the third party 37 candistribute its component/device/accessory to the user over a large-scaleinformation communication network with having only to register itself inthe server 38 and without having to make any advertisement activity byitself.

Also, the server 38 (including the robotic device manufacturers) canenjoy many advantages of the above-mentioned distribution system. As anexample of the merits, the server 38 can make a variety of activities bymaking the most of the customer data base. For example, when the usersmake a series of purchase procedures (in step S21), information on theaccessories the customers have purchased are registered in the customerdata base (in step S22) as shown in FIG. 17. A manufacturer having put anew product of robot component/device/accessory on market can make asales approach to the customers based on the information on cumulatedpurchases of accessories included in the customer data base. Themanufacturers (server) can analyze the customers' preference, taste andthe like based on the information on the cumulated purchases ofaccessories, and can provide the customers with new-product informationprepared based on the result of analysis. Since the server 38 canprepare various kinds of analysis result-based information on the basisof the customer data base, such information can automatically be servedto the customers. For example, the new-product information isautomatically served to appropriate customers by electronic mail or thelike.

In the foregoing, the embodiment of the present invention has beendescribed concerning the example that the user selects “Soft” 42 on theoptions selection screen as shown in FIG. 12 to purchase a softwarecomponent. Next, purchase of a hardware component/device/accessory byselecting “Hard” 41 on the options selection screen will be describedherebelow.

When the “Hard” 41 is selected on the options selection screen, a screen40 will appear as shown in FIG. 18. In this example, “Body” 81, “Head”82, “Legs” 83 and “Tail” 84 as replaceablecomponents/devices/accessories of the robot 1, or “Costume” 85 as acomponent/device/accessory which can be added to the robot 1, aredisplayed as selectable robot components/devices/accessories on thescreen 40 as shown in FIG. 18.

When the “Legs” 83 is selected, a served list ofcomponent/device/accessory information on the type and speed(performance) of the leg is displayed on the screen 40 as shown in FIG.19 in order to further narrow down potentialcomponents/devices/accessories. In this example, the screen 40 displays“Ski” 91, “Skate” 92 and “Caterpillar” 93 for the types of leg and“Fast” 94 and “Slow” 95 for the speed of the leg.

When the “Caterpillar” 93 and “Slow” 95 are selected on the screen 40,there will be displayed on the screen a number, defined by the finalnarrow-down of the potential components/devices/accessories, of the“Slow” and “Caterpillar” type legs (hardware). For example, five suchlegs are displayed on the screen in case the “5 displayed” 49 has beenselected as in the above. Then the user selects his desired one from thecomponents/devices/accessories displayed on the screen as the result ofthe final narrow-down.

Also, for selection of a hardware component, thecomponent/device/accessory selection screen may be made to reflectinformation on the state of the robot 1, having been uploaded from thepersonal terminal devices.

The state information on the robot 1 includes information on thefrequency with which the hardware of the robot 1 has been used. Assumehere that the “Hard” 41 and “Head” 82 are selected for example. In thiscase, the screen will provide a parameter indication 101 for thefrequency with which the CCDs in the head have been used, and aparameter indication 102 for the frequency with which the switch in thehead (touch sensor) 17 has been used, as shown in FIG. 20. Also, whenthe CCDs and switch in the head have been used with high frequencies,respectively, there is provided on the screen a comment 103 that “Thehead functions have been used frequently”, as shown in FIG. 20. Then,options are displayed in detail on the screen 40 as shown in FIG. 21.

More specifically, the screen 40 displays options “High” 111, “Middle”112 and “Low” 113 for the “CCD performance”, and options “Head top” 114,“Neck” 115 and “Ears” 116 for the “Location of reaction unit (touchsensor)”. The options for these “CCD performance” and “Location ofreaction unit” on the screen 40 reflect the selection of the option“Head” 82 shown in FIG. 18.

Also, for selection of options, reference can be made to the stateinformation having been uploaded from the robot 1 as in the selection ofsoftware. For example, when the sensors in the head have been used witha high frequency, there will be displayed on the screen 40 such options(touch sensor) which are provided near the head as the “Neck” 115 and“Ears” 116 in addition to the “Head top” 114.

When the option “High” 111 for the “CCD performance” and “Head top” 114for the “Location of reaction unit” are selected as shown in FIG. 21,three types of heads based on the information are displayed. The threetypes of heads will be displayed when “3 displayed” (not shown) for thenumber of components/devices/accessories in FIG. 12 is selected.

For example, indications 121, 122 and 123 of the three types of heads,respectively, are represented by images 121 a, 122 a and 123 a andcomments of features 121 b, 122 b and 123 b, respectively, on the screen40 as shown in FIG. 22. When the user checks the contents of the headsselected by the server 38 and sets his selection, a purchase screen willappear. The purchase screen is an information input screen for themethods of payment, methods of component/device/accessory delivery, etc.Seeing this screen, the use will make a purchase procedure.

As in the above, the information service system can serve optimuminformation on the software and hardware of the robot.

In the foregoing, the present invention has been described concerningthe embodiment in which the information on the robot includes states(parameters) of the emotion, instinct and growth required for the actionof the robot and the server 38 provides, based on the information,information intended for selection of components/devices/accessoriessuch as options information. Note however that the present invention isnot limited to this embodiment but when information on the robot whichcould reflect the selection of components/devices/accessories isavailable, the user can select optimum component/device/accessory forhis robot. This will further be described below.

In case the robot has stored (held) therein information on each of theparts (component) as robot-related information, the user can make acomponent/device/accessory selection which reflects the robot-relatedinformation. For example, by using information on each of replaceablecomponents/devices/accessories of a robot which has stored therein theinformation on each component/device/accessory thereof, the user canselect an optimum one of the components/devices/accessories for hisrobot. FIG. 23 shows an example of the construction of the robot 1having stored therein information on each component/device/accessorythereof.

The robot 1 is composed of a plurality of replaceable units (component)including a body unit 130, head unit 140 and a leg unit 150.

The body unit 130 incorporates a signal processor 131, display unit 132,CPU 133, actuator 134, serial bus host controller 135, sensor 136,memory 137, hub 138, etc.

The signal processor 131 processes signals for display on the displayunit 132. It is controlled by the CPU 133 which also controls each partsof the body unit 130. Further, the CPU 133 controls the head unit 140and leg unit 150 in addition to the body unit 130.

The actuator 134 drives moving parts in the body unit 130. The actuator134 is a motor for example, and controlled based on a control signal orthe like supplied from the CPU 133 via the serial bus host controller135.

The sensor 136 detects a variety of information. It includes the batterysensor 12 and thermo-sensor 13 for example shown in FIG. 2. A detectionsignal from the sensor 136 is sent to the CPU 133 via the serial bushost controller 135. For example, the CPU 133 controls each unit basedon the detection signal from the sensor 136.

The memory 137 has stored therein a variety of information such as aprogram for the action of the robot 1. In addition, the memory 137 hasstored therein information on the body unit 130 (robot-relatedinformation).

The information on the body unit 130 includes at least information on arobot model with which the body unit 130 is compatible, namely,information indicative of features of the body unit 130 such as model ortype, form or shape, motor used, sensor used, etc.

The body unit 130 thus constructed is adapted to make data transfer toand from the bead and leg units 140 and 150 via the hub 138. Forexample, the body unit 130 supplies a control signal to the head and legunits 140 and 150 via the hub 138 and is supplied with detection signalsfrom sensors 143 and 153 in the head and leg units 140 and 150,respectively, via the hub 138.

The body unit 130 has an external memory 160 removably connectedthereto. The external memory 160 is a memory card MC or the like used toupload information on the robot 1 to the server 38 via the personalterminal device 31A as having previously been described.

On the other hand, the head unit 140 incorporates an actuator 141, hub142, sensor 143, memory 144, etc.

The actuator 141 drives moving parts of the head unit 140, and is amotor for example. The actuator 141 is controlled based on a controlsignal or the like supplied from the CPU 133 in the body unit 130 viathe hub 142.

The sensor 143 detects a variety of information, and it includes thespeaker 18, touch sensor 17, etc. as shown in FIG. 2 for example. Thesensor 143 sends a detection signal to the CPU 133 in the body unit 130via the hub 142. The CPU 133 controls each unit based on the detectionsignal from the sensor 143.

The memory 144 has stored therein information on the head unit 140(robot-related information). Similar to the information on the body unit130, the information on the head unit 140 includes at least informationon a robot model with which the head unit 140 is compatible, namely,information indicative of features of the head unit 140 such as model ortype, form or shape, motor used, sensor used, etc.

The leg unit 150 incorporates an actuator 151, hub 152, sensor 153,memory 154, etc.

The actuator 151 drives moving parts of the leg unit 150, and is forexample a motor to drive the four legs of the leg unit 150. The actuator151 is controlled based on a control signal or the like supplied fromthe CPU 133 in the body unit 130 via the hub 152.

The sensor 153 detects a variety of information. The sensor 153 sends adetection signal to the CPU 133 in the body unit 130 via the hub 152.The CPU 133 controls each unit based on the detection signal from thesensor 153.

The memory 154 has stored therein information on the leg unit 150(robot-related information). Similar to the information on the body andhead units 130 and 140, the information on the leg unit 150 includes atleast information on a robot model with which the leg unit 150 iscompatible, namely, information indicative of features of the leg unit150 such as model or type, form or shape, motor used, sensor used, etc.

The robot 1 constructed from the aforementioned body, head and leg units130, 140 and 150 which are replaceable. The server 38 serves, based onthe information on each unit from the robot 1, information on optimumcomponents/devices/accessories to the users of the robot 1.

The external memory 160 has stored therein information on each of theunits of the robot 1. It has also stored therein information on theshape or form of the robot 1, namely, information on whether the robot 1is of a dog robot or a humanoid robot for example. The information oneach unit of the robot 1 is sent (uploaded) from the external memory 160to the server 38 via the personal terminal devices.

The server 38 has cumulatively stored therein muchcomponents/devices/accessories information. Based on the unitinformation and components/devices/accessories information received asin the above, the server 38 will select components/devices/accessoriesusable with the robot. For example; the components/devices/accessoriesare available from the third party as having previously been described,and the components/devices/accessories information includes theinformation on such components/devices/accessories. Thecomponents/devices/accessories information includes model or type of arobot with which the components/devices/accessories are compatible.

The server 38 refers to the unit information andcomponents/devices/accessories information thus received with respect tothe model or type of the robot with which thecomponents/devices/accessories are compatible in order to selectcomponents/devices/accessories usable with the robot. Such a selectionby the server 38 is effected by the CPU 42 (see FIG. 7) functioning toselect components/devices/accessories information for example.

As the result of selection, the server 38 prepares options informationincluding the extracted components/devices/accessories information. Thatis to say, it prepares options information including information onpredetermined components/devices/accessories compatible with a user'srobot.

Then, the server 38 sends the options information to the user (personalterminal device) having sent the unit information to the server 38. Theuser will thus be able to select his desired component/device/accessorybased on the options information served from the server 38. Acomponent/device/accessory thus selected by the user will always becompatible with his robot.

Thus, the server 38 can serve to the user information including therobot information usable for selection of component/device/accessory andbased on which an optimum component/device/accessory can be selected bythe user.

1. An information server comprising: first storage means, external to arobotic device, storing robot-related information related to a pluralityof replaceable components/devices/accessories that comprise the roboticdevice; second storage means, external to the robotic device, storinginformation about components/devices/accessories that are compatiblereplacements for the components/devices/accessories that comprise therobotic device; and means for reading the robot-related information fromthe first storage means and selecting one or more compatiblecomponents/devices/accessories from the second storage means, whereinthe server prepares options information on one or more compatiblecomponents/devices/accessories and sends the options information to auser terminal remote from the server.
 2. The apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the robot-related information includes information ontypes of robotic devices in which at least the compatiblecomponents/devices/accessories in consideration can be used.
 3. Theapparatus according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined piece ofcomponents/devices/accessories information concerns compatiblecomponents/devices/accessories usable in the robotic device.